Local Coffee Chain Island Brew Collective Opens 10th Location in Kailua
Island Brew Collective, the homegrown coffee chain that started in a converted Chinatown warehouse seven years ago, cut the ribbon on its 10th location Tuesday morning in Kailua. The new shop occupies a 1,200-square-foot space on Kailua Road, just two blocks from the beach that draws tourists and locals alike.
The Kailua opening marks a significant milestone for founders Keoni Nakamura and Sarah Chen, who launched the company in 2017 with a focus on locally sourced beans and community gathering spaces. Their expansion into windward Oahu represents the chain’s first location outside of urban Honolulu.
“Kailua has this amazing energy where beach culture meets coffee culture,” said Nakamura during Tuesday’s soft opening. “We wanted to create a space where surfers grabbing their dawn patrol coffee can sit next to families planning their beach day.”
The new location features Island Brew’s signature industrial-meets-tropical design, with reclaimed koa wood tables, living walls of native plants, and large windows that offer views of the Ko’olau Mountains. Like all Island Brew locations, the Kailua shop will serve coffee exclusively from Hawaiian farms, including beans from Ka’u on the Big Island and estates in Kona.
Meeting Local Demand
The decision to expand to Kailua came after years of requests from windward residents who made regular trips to Island Brew’s town locations. The company conducted a six-month feasibility study that showed strong demand for specialty coffee in the area, particularly among the growing population of remote workers who relocated to the windward side during the pandemic.
Island Brew’s Kailua location will employ 12 full-time staff members, all hired from the local community. The company’s commitment to paying above minimum wage and offering health benefits has made it a sought-after employer in Honolulu’s competitive hospitality market.
The shop’s menu includes Island Brew’s popular breakfast items alongside new offerings designed specifically for the beach community. The “Lanikai Sunrise” acai bowl features locally grown dragon fruit and coconut from North Shore farms, while the “Windward Wrap” combines locally caught ono with Kahuku corn salsa.
Community Integration
Island Brew has built its reputation on community engagement, and the Kailua location continues that tradition. The shop will host weekly “Talk Story Tuesdays” featuring local artists, authors, and community leaders. Plans are already underway for partnerships with Kailua High School’s environmental science program and the nearby Kawainui Marsh restoration project.
The company has also committed to participating in Kailua’s existing sustainability initiatives. The new location features solar panels, composting systems, and a bike-share partnership with local rental companies to reduce traffic in the beach town’s narrow streets.
“We’re not just opening another coffee shop,” Chen explained. “We’re joining a community that already has strong values around environmental stewardship and supporting local businesses.”
Expansion Plans
The Kailua opening is part of Island Brew’s broader expansion strategy that aims to establish locations in every major Oahu community by 2026. The company has signed leases for upcoming locations in Hawaii Kai and Mililani, with plans to explore opportunities on neighbor islands.
Island Brew’s growth comes as Hawaii’s coffee industry experiences unprecedented expansion. The state now produces more than 8 million pounds of coffee annually, with local roasters and cafes capturing an increasing share of the market previously dominated by mainland chains.
For Kailua residents and visitors, the new Island Brew location represents more than just convenient caffeine access. It’s another sign of the community’s evolution from sleepy beach town to vibrant residential area that balances tourism with local needs.
The Kailua Island Brew Collective is open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours until 8 p.m. on weekends. The location will celebrate its grand opening with week-long festivities beginning Monday, featuring live music from local artists and discounts for Kailua residents.
